Preparation of carbon dots-metal nanoparticles nanocomposites and their application in heterogeneous catalysis

Since carbon dots (CDs)-metal nanoparticles (MNPs) nanocomposites combine the advantages of both carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and MNPs, they show unique properties and are applied in heterogeneous catalysis. In the nanocomposite catalysts, CDs can act as modifiers to modulate the electronic properties of the metals or produce synergy with the metals. Consequently, the nanocomposite catalysts have good catalytic performance. This paper summarizes the preparation methods of nanocomposite catalysts and focuses on their applications in heterogeneous catalysis. Various specific preparation methods are not only summarized as completely as possible but also are also classified at the macro logic level. The applications of the nanocomposite catalysts in heterogeneous catalysis include photocatalysis, sonocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and thermal catalysis. It also reveals how the nanocomposite catalysts produce excellent catalytic performances in various catalytic reactions. Finally, the existing problems and the direction of future efforts are proposed. It is hoped that this paper will provide a slight reference for the future research of MNPs-CQDs nanocomposite catalysts and their application in the field of catalysis.